Susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida spp. from blood and feces collected in Novi Sad in 3-year period (2008-2010)

Candidemia is an important emerging nosocomial infection in patients with risk factors. Candida species from nonsterile sites can give insight into the characteristics of strains that may cause invasive disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate antifungal susceptibility of Candida blood and fecal isolates in Novi Sad, Vojvodina. During a 3-year period (2008 to 2010), 424 isolates of Candida spp. were collected, 30 bloodstream isolates and 394 strains from fecal samples. In vitro susceptibility of these isolates to five antifungal agents was established using commercial ATB FUNGUS 3 (Bio-Mérieux). Predominant species was Candida albicans (6 isolates from blood and 269 from feces). Resistance to one or more antifungal agents was less common in Candida albicans (3.63%) than in other species (24.83%). Resistance to itraconazole was the most commonly found in both groups of isolates, 9.64% strains from feces and 20% from blood samples. Twelve isolates were multiply resistant, usually to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole. Resistance to amphotericine B was extremely rare. Although resistance to antimycotics of Candida spp. is rare at present, continued surveillance of antifungal susceptibility is necessary in order to monitor trends, and to choose the right empiric therapy

Prevalencija gena za rezistenciju na meticilin i Panton-Valentine leukocidin u izolatima bakterije Staphylococcus aureus podrijetlom od goveda i ljudi.

Using the California Mastitis Test (CMT), on 46 highly productive dairy farms in Serbia, cows with milk secretion disorder were identified. Milk samples were taken from cows with positive CMT and from cows with clinical mastitis. Standard microbiological analysis of milk samples and API Staph confirmed the presence of 75 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Those 75 isolates, as well as 11 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus originating from humans were analyzed for the presence of genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and PBP2A protein, responsible for methicillin resistance. The presence of gene encoding PVL was determined by PCR in 5 out of 75 (6.67%) and in 7 out of 11 (63.63%) bovine and human isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The presence of the mecA gene was determined by PCR in 1 of 75 (1.33%) and in 2 of 11 (18.18%) bovine and human isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The presence of the mecC gene was not determined in analyzed isolates. Further research is needed to investigate the genetic relationship between bovine and human Staphylococcus aureus isolates, to determine the exact impact of bovine Staphylococcus aureus strains from the cow udders on animal and public health.Uporabom kalifornijskog testa za upalu vimena na 46 visoko produktivnih mliječnih farmi u Srbiji identificirane su krave s poremećajem sekrecije mlijeka. Uzeti su uzorci mlijeka krava pozitivnih kalifornijskim testom i krava s kliničkim mastitisom. Standardnom mikrobiološkom pretragom uzoraka mlijeka i identifikacijom kompletom API Staph potvrđena je prisutnost 75 izolata bakterije Staphylococcus aureus. Tih 75 izolata, kao i 11 izolata te bakterije podrijetlom iz ljudi bili su analizirani lančanom reakcijom polimerazom na prisutnost gena koji kodiraju za Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) i PBP2A protein odgovoran za meticilinsku rezistenciju. Prisutnost gena koji kodira za PVL dokazana je u pet od 75 (6,67%) izolata podrijetlom iz goveda i u sedam od 11 (63,63%) izolata podrijetlom iz ljudi. Prisutnost mecA gena dokazana je u jednog od 75 (1,33%) izolata podrijetlom iz goveda i u dva od 11 (18,18%) podrijetlom iz ljudi. Prisutnost mecC gena nije utvrđena u analiziranim izolatima. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja kako bi se istražio odnos između izolata Staphylococcus aureus-a podrijetlom iz ljudi i iz goveda i odredio točan utjecaj sojeva vrste Staphylococcus aureus iz vimena krava na zdravlje životinja i zdravlje ljudi

Sphingomonas paucimobilis as a biofilm producer

The aim of this study was, for the first time in our country, to identify the capability of isolates of Sphingomonas paucimobilis to form a biofilm. In the 3-month period from January 1st to March 31st 2010, a total of 2630 samples of drinking water were microbiologically examined in the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Serbia. From all examined samples of drinking water, non-fermentative Gram-negative oxidase positive bacilli were identified in 113 samples (4.30%). The bacteria isolates were identified as Sphingomonas paucimobilis (4 isolates), based on analysis by the automated VITEK 2 Compact system; biofilm formation was examined according to the modified method of Stepanović et al. (2000). All 4 Sphingomonas paucimobilis strains tested showed a strong biofilm-producing ability. Considering the potential pathogenic features of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, the presence of these strains in drinking water distribution systems is not desirable. Therefore, adequate biofilm degradation and management of drinking-water distribution networks that will guarantee microbiologically safe drinking water is recommended

Listeria monocytogenes isolated in ready-to-eat food in South Bačka region of Vojvodina province, Serbia

Listeria monocytogenes is pathogenic bacterium that can contaminate food products during and after processing. As ready-to-eat food does not undergo any treatment to ensure its safety before consumption, the risk of foodborne disease must be considered if this pathogen is present in the food. As diseases caused by contaminated food are an important public health problem today, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in different ready-to-eat food products. In the seven-month period from June 1 to December 31, 2011, a total of 1 380 food samples were examined in the Division of Sanitary Bacteriology, Center for Microbiology, Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. A total of 912 samples were analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes according to ISO 11290-2. The identity of suspected Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed using the VITEK 2 Compact system (BioMerieux, France). Out of 912 samples, Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 18 (1.97%). Listeria monocytogenes was mostly found in cooked meals (in 6 samples out of 18), sandwiches (4 samples) and frozen food, such as ice-cream and frozen vegetables (4 samples). It was also found in tofu bread spreads (2 samples), cream cheese (1 sample) and cakes (1 sample). The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some ready-to-eat food could present a public health hazard, particularly to the high-risk population group, because of the high mortality rate associated with listeriosis and the widespread nature of the organism. Monitoring of listeriosis is essential to prevent foodborne outbreaks, and in assessing human health risk in ready-to-eat foods

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution in Vojvodina before the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines into the national immunization program

Introduction. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causative agent of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis. Mandatory childhood immunization against pneumococcal diseases is introduced in the new Law on Protection of Population against Communicable Diseases in Serbia. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pneumococcal serotype distribution in Vojvodina region before routine use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Serbia. Methods. A total of 105 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected in the period from January 2009 to April 2016. Based on the results of serotyping in the National Reference Laboratory, we analyzed distribution of circulating serotypes and coverage of conjugate and 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines in different age groups. Results. Among 105 isolates, a total of 21 different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae were determined. The most frequent serotypes were 3 (21.9%), 19F (20.0%), and 14 (10.5%). The serotype coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13) was 48.6%, 54.3%, and 84.8%, respectively, while pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) covered 89.5% of the total number of isolates in all age groups. Serotypes included in PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 represented 72.0%, 76.0%, and 88.0% of the total number of isolates in children ≤5 years, respectively. Vaccine serotype coverage of PCV13 and PPV23 ranged from 87.1% to 90.3% in adults 50-64 years of age, and 77.8% to 85.2% in adults ≥65 years old. Conclusion. Serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the population fairly overlaps with the serotypes contained in pneumococcal vaccines, so that implementation of childhood immunization is justified. The study was done in the Province of Vojvodina but the findings may be applied to Serbia as a whole. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON 175039] <br><br><font color="red"><b> This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/SARH1612678E">10.2298/SARH1612678E</a><u></b></font